Fluid heater



F eb. 22, 1944,

H. D. sTERlcK FLUID HEATER Filed Jan. 2o, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 22,1944. H. D. STI-:RICK v 2,342,500

FLID HEATER A Filed Jan. 20, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Alu/mw., 9W

fu; ATToR/vsxs.

Patented Feb. 22, 1944 UNITED STATES PA'I'EIWI4 .OFFICE Y 2,342,500 E Iy rnmnrnm'r imL l Harrison Sterick, Pittsburgh, Pa. application january20, 1940, serial No. 314,877

11 oiaims.' (o1. y122-250) This invention relates to fluid heaters, andis more particularly concerned with Water heaters of the instantaneoustype, and with combination heaters adapted tovsupply hot water to afaucet system and concurrently or intermittently supply hot water at ahigher temperature to a heat radiating system. l l

Heretofore it has beenthe standard practice in homes, offices, factorybuildings, and the like to have one heater for heating the hot Waterwhich comes from the faucets, and a second heater for heating the hotWater to be supplied to radiators or other heat radiating system. Thispractice requires separate burners, boilers, and heat exchange means andis obviously expensive. Again, the ordinary hot water heater whichemploys gas is often inefhcient and much of the useful heat iny theburnt gas may go vup the chimney or be Wasted in other Ways. Forexample, it is usually impossible to place ones hand on the outside of aWater heater, which means that heat is'escaping directly by radiation,conduction and convection from the water heater. Moreover, the usualWater heater of the instantaneous type is particularly inefficient inthat a large volume of gas is burnt quite rapidly adjacentva relativelysmall body of Water without adequate heat vtransfer means being providedso as to prevent escape of useful heat.

The usual Water heater, Whether for heating faucet Water or radiator and'the like water,` is generally open to the objection that the heatexchange means are placed directlyl in the flames or adjacentotherheating means so that deposits of soot and the like occur on theheat exchange means which reduces their eiliciency. Stillagain,

` the ordinary heat exchangemeans is not properly constructedAorarranged so as to reffect the greatest degreeof heat transfer, and asa result it often becomes necessary to use heat exchange conduits ofconsiderable length with the attendant-increase in heater costs.Further, many heaters are complicated `to install and maintain inoperationV or are bulky and undesirable for other reasons.

It is the general object of my invention to I avoid and overcomey theforegoing and other dii-Q culties attending the manufacture, maintenanceand use of fluid yheatersby the provision of an improved, heater which`is .relatively simple and inexpensive, but which is .adapted tooperatelat high efliciency overlongperiods of use substantially withoutattention.

Another. and more particular volojectof my invention is the provision ofa fluid heater, and

particularly awater heater, which is adapted to supply fluid or water attwo different temperatures from, a single apparatus whereby therequirements for faucet water and heat radiating fluid can be suppliedwith a minimum of expense. y

Another object of myinvention is the provision of a rugged, long-lived,inexpensive, eiiicient, and easily installed and maintained hot Waterheater having a single heating chamber, heating means, and heatexchangemealns adapted to supply Wter at two different desiredtemperatures. p

Another object of my invention is the provision of, a fluid heater, suchas a Water heater, in which theheat exchange means, are so constructedyand aranged as to utilize substantially all of the heat inherent in theheating. means with little-or -no dissipationor loss of heat beyond thatrequisite to obtaink a stack draft.

Another objectof my invention is the provision of anv improved fluidheater including thermostat control for automatically maintaining therelation between the heating means and the iluid outletreg'ardless o fwhether the heater is employed to supply fluid at a plurality ofdifferent temperatures.

l 'I'he foregoing and other objects of myinvention are achieved by theprovision of a fluid heater comprising a heating chamber, heatingmeansln'th'e chamber, heat 'exchange' means -associated with the heatingchamber, a conduit connected' to one portion of the heat exchange meansand adapted to extend to a faucet Vpiping system, a second conduitvconnected "to another portion of theyheat exchange means' and adapted toextend toa heat radiating system, a third conduit connected to the'first conduit and Y adapted to extend to the return from a heatradiating system; and a thermostat associated with the heat exchangemeans for turning on the `heating means when-the' return fluid from theradiating system is too cold or when the outletfluid to'the faucetsystem is too cold.

In accordance with the objects of my invention I `provide a fluid heatercomprising a vheating chamber, heating means positioned adjacent thebottom lof the heating chamber, a conduit of substantially helical shapesurrounding the heating chamber and adapted :tobe connected at itsbottom end to a cold iiuid supply, heat exchange meansy inside theheating chamber, a connection between the heat exchange means andtheupper end of the' conduit,- an outlet conduit connected to theheatiex'change means and adaptedtobe connected to 'a vpiping system,and'v a thermostat associated with the outlet conduit and adapted toturn on the heating means when the fluid passing out of the outletconduit falls below a desired temperature.

For a better understanding of my invention reference should be had tothe accompanying drawings wherein Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-sectionalview of one embodiment of a combination heater constructed in accordancewith the principles of my invention; Figs. 2 and 3 are views similar toFig. 1 of modified forms of combination heaters; Figs. 4 and 5 arevertical crosssectional views of two embodiments of iluid heaters whichdo not incorporate the combination feature; Fig. 6 is a verticalcross-sectional view of still another embodiment of my invention; andFig. 7 is an enlarged vertical cross section through the injector thatmay be used with the apparatus disclosed herein.

My invention is particularly concerned with using gas in various formsto heat water. However, I broadly contemplate using other heating meansthan gas, and I contemplate heating other uids than water, and thefollowing description and claims should be read with this in mind.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the nu* meral I indicates an outerhousing usually provided with a suitable skirt or legs I2 adapted tosupport the housing on the floor and having a hood or top cover I4formed with an approprate opening I6 adapted to be connected to a flue,chimney or the like. Usually, I form the housing III or a cylindricalshape, although it will be understood that the housing may be square orpolygonal, as desired. Preferably, a lining I8 is supported inside ofthe housing III, as by channels 20, so as to provide an air spacebetween the lining I and the housing It'. Holes 22 may be formed in theupper ends of the housing lil to permit circulation of air between thehousing I0 and the lining It. This acts as a back air vent. The housingI0 and lining I8 are generally formed of sheet metal or plate, but

obviously can be made from cast metal or other y! materials if this isfound to be preferable.

Positioned to the bottom of and centrally of the housing I'is a heatingchamber or lire box 25 which is preferably of a truncated conical formand which is covered .at its upper end with a cap 2B having a centralaperture 3U therein. The bottom of the heating chamber 26 is open and ispositioned directly above heating means 32 which ordinarily takev theform of a gas burner of any suitable construction. The heating means 32may be secured in position in any suitable manner as, for example, bythe use of angles :t4 which are fastened to the legs I2. The bottorn ofthe heating chamber 26 is formed with a sweat pan 36 at its outerperiphery and this may be readily accomplished when the heating chamber26 is made of sheetor plate metal by merely turning up the metal to forma gutter or pan in the manner illustrated in the drawings. The heatingchamber 26 is secured to the bottom of the lining I8 adjacent the angles34.

I preferably provide a boiler 49 inside the housing I!) and usually theboiler 40 takes a square or cylindrical form of approximately the areaof the top of the heating chamber 25 and of a height substantially equalto its width. The boiler 4I! is mounted inside of the housing in aposition directly above the top of the. heating chamber 25 so that hotgases escaping out of the opening in the cap 28 flow over the bottom andsides of the boiler as will be under` stood.

Heat exchange means usually in the form o a substantial helical ortruncated conical coil 42 are provided on the outer surface of theheating chamber 26. The lower end of the coil 42 is adapted to beconnected by a conduit 44 with a source of cold fluid or cold watersupply. The coil 42 may be flattened slightly or may even be embedded ingrooves formed on the outer surface of the heating chamber so as toinsure the most intimate type of Contact between the coil and theheating chamber to thereby effect the best possible type of heattransfer between the heating chamber and the fluid in the coil 42.

Usually, I wind the conduit forming coil 42 onto the heating chamber 26under tension so that the conduit is not only ilattened but remainsunder tension whereby changes in temperature do not loosen the conduitor destroy the intimate heat exchange relation between the coil andheating chamber.

The upper end of the coil 42 is connected by a conduit 4t with theboiler 4I! and is also connected to heat exchange means positionedaround the boiler. Preferably, the heat exchange means around the boilertake the form of a plurality of spirally wound flat coils 48 which areconnected to each other and positioned one above the other in the mannershown in Fig. 1. The coils 4B are, of course, subjected to any hot gasesowing out of the opening 30 in the top of the heating chamber 26 and thecoils may be formed in any known manner to facilitate the greatest heatexchange between the hot gases and the fluid passing through the coils.For example, I have illustrated the coils 48 in the drawings asincluding a substantially vertically extending iin 50 on each of theindividual convolutions forming the coil, and it will be understood thatadditional iins extending either circumferentially, longitudinally orhelically can be used if desired.

The bottom of coil 48 is connected by a conduit 52 to a spirally woundcoil 54 positioned in the top of the heating chamber 25. The coil 54 isformed with heating fins 56 in the manner illustrated. The end of thecoil 54 not connected to the conduit 52 extends to a conduit 58 coiledsubstantially helically or in a truncated conical manner in the insideof the heating chamber 26. The bottom end of the conduit 58 is connectedto a conduit tu which is adapted to be connected to a faucet pipingsystem, as, for example, to supply hot water for home use. A thermostat,indicated as a whole by the numeral 62, is connected in the conduit 58and is provided with an operating shaft G4 which extends to the outersurface of the housing I0 so that the exact operating temperature of thethermostat can be set from the outside of the housing.

The top of the boiler 4U is provided with a manifold 68, only the branchpipes of which are shown but which is adapted to be connected, as by aconduit lIII, to a heat radiating system, as, for example, the usualradiators in a househeating system. The return conduit from the heatradiating system is indicated by the numeral 'I2 and is connected to theconduit Ell preferably with a suitable injector mechanism, indicated bythe numeral i4 and illustrated in detail in my prior Patent No.2,033,260. The im iector is also shown in Fig. 7 of the accomanyingdrawings. When water is not being withdrawn from the system through: thehouse faucets the water in the house heating system returns through pipe12 (Fig. 1) and passes through the curved pipe 11 in the injector and.into conduite!! where the water is reheated.

When a faucet (not shown) connected to pipe 19 is opened the water inconduit 60 will reverse its direction of flow and pass out of the lowerend of the conduit through` perforated disc 18 rigidly mounted in anysuitable manner in the end of the conduit. The force of this waterflowing against the open lower end of curved tube 11 and around thelower portion of that tube to pipe 19 stops water in return line 12 fromissuing from the curved tube while the faucet is open, whereby the waterin the house heating system is not mixed with the water being drawnfromthe faucets. Usually, the use of an injector of some type is advisableso as to prevent the mixing of the radiator water with the faucet water,but I have found that injector mechanism is not always necessary. I mayinclude an agitator or circulating means 16 in the conduit 12 so as torender positive the circulation of fluidor Water through the heatradiating system.

In the operation of the embodiment of my invention just described assumethat the thermostat 62 is set for a temperature of 140 `l1". and thewater or other fluid present in the system is relatively cool and below140 F., having just been fed into the system through the inlet con fduit 44. Then, the heating means or burner 32 will be turned onautomatically rand het gases flowing up inside of the heating chamber 26will heat the fluid in the coils 42, 48 and 54 and the fluid in theboiler 4B and in the conduits 58. The heating of the fluid bythe heatingmeans 32 will continue until the returny fluid coming back from theradiating system through the conduit 12 and into the conduit 58 will beabove a temperature of 140 F., then the thermostat will function to turnoff the heating means. The ow of fluid in this system will be, ofcourse, through conduits 12, B0, 58, through heating coil 54, heatingcoils 48, the boiler 40, and the conduit or conduits 10. This heatingsystem can continue to furnish the heat desired in accordance with thethermostat control which will go on and offin the manner explained so asto give a temperature in the rooms heated by the radiating system whichis as desired. The control shaft 5,4 for the thermostat may be extendedor coupled to any suitable control mechanism whereby the exact heatingcharacteristics of the apparatus can be controlled from a distance.

It will be understood that the hot fluid or water flowing to the heatradiating system from conduit will be at a temperature considerablyabove 140 F. and usually is in the neighborhood of 180 to 190 F. This isbecause the thermostat which controls the operation yof the heatingmeans is in turn controlled by the temperature of the fluid or waterreturning from the heat radiating system and after the fluid hastransferred its heat to the radiating system. The hot gases from theheating means 32 flowing up through the heating chamber 26 at theopening and up and around the boiler 40 and coils 48 and thence out thestack I6 will, of course, result in considerably higher temperature inthe fluid in the boiler than the fluid in the return conduit 12. In thisconnection, it will be noted that I have provided heat exchange means ofsuch a construction and arrangement that substantiallyevery bit. of heatin the hot gases is transferredto the fluid or water carried in thecoils and conduits. In this manner I obtain a relatively highefficiency, and in fact by controlling the number of coils and the flow.of gases over the coils I am able to obtain heat transfer lefficienciesof per cent or more of the actual heat present in the gas or other formof energy supplied to `the heating means. VIn the past high efficiencieshave not been reached for the reason that the proper stack draft couldnot be maintained with too high an eiciency. I have found that I canmaintain an adequate stack draft even with high efficiencies, and whileavoiding any undesirable sweating for the reason that any sweating whichdoes occur in my apparatus results in a trapping of the fluid in thesweat panvBBat the bottom of the heating chamber where the sweat isevaporated during the inoperative periods of the heating means.

When the apparatus described is usedA to supply hotwater or hot uid to afaucet system the faucet system is opened which allows fluid or water toflow out of the conduit 60. This loss of water in the system iscompensated for by the inflow of cold water through the inlet conduit44. So long as the water flowing past the thermostat 62 and out of theoutlet conduit 60 is above a temperature of 140 F. the heating means 32is turned off. However, when the temperature of the fluid drops below F.the heating means 32 is turned on. This results in a heating of thefluid or water in the coil 42, the coils 43, the coil 54, and theconduit 58. Once the temperature of the water is brought up above apoint of 140 F. the burner is again shut off. I have found that myapparatus can be` used as an instantaneous heater, namely, that watercan be drawn continuously from the conduit t0 for long periods withoutthe temperature of the water falling below approximately 140 F. In thisoperation of my apparatus the water or fluid in the heat radiatingsystem will not be affected or drawn into the faucet system, due to theaction of injector 14. Also, any interruption in the normal functioningof the heat radiating system is in ordinary use of such a temporarycharacter that it can be forgotten.

The exact temperature of the water supplied for the heat radiatingsystem and the water or fluid supplied for the faucet system may becontrolled not only by changing the operating characteristics of thethermostat 62 but by changing the position of the thermostat in theconduit 5t. More particularly, in a combination heater of the type aboveand hereinafter described, the temperature of the heat radiating waterand the temperature of the faucet Water is directly dependent upon thelength of the conduit 58, the position and size of the coils 48 and 54,the heat transfer characteristics thereof and the position of thethermostat 62 in the conduit 58 and th'e relation of the thermostat tothe faucet conduit 50 and to the heat radiating conduit 1t. The closerthe thermostat is to the faucet conduit 60 the greater the temperaturedifference between the faucet and heatingr radiating waters. The closerthe thermostat is'to th'e heat radiating conduit 10 the less temperaturedifference between faucet and heat radiating waters. It will beunderstood that by properly coordinating the position of the thermostat,the lengths, positions and heatv exchange characteristics of theconduits and coils mentioned the exact temperatures for faucet andheatradiating Waters can be obtained. l

The structure and operation of the embodiment of my inventionillustrated in Fig. 2 is generally similar to that describedv in detailabove in conjunction with' Fig. l. Briefly, the apparatus of 2 includesan outer housing 8B, an inner housing d2, a heating chamber Bil, aburner Se, and a boiler 8&1. A substantially helical coil se wrappedtightly around the heating chamber El! and connected at its lower end toa cold water supply has its upper end connected by a conduit et to thebottom of the boiler 33, and lil e wise to the inside of a substantiallyspiral coil Gli which in turn is connected through a conduit to and athermostat lilil to a conduit 552 extending to a faucet system and tothe return |04 from a heat radiating system. An injector mechanism maybe employed at |633 to insure the return of the water from the heatradiating system al1 in the manner heretofore described.

The coil lid is formed with a plurality of heat transfer fins m6 whichas heretofore stated may take the form of circumferential, longitudinalor helical fins or which may comprise a plurality of relatively smallwire-like fingers cut from the individual conduits of the coil andextending out from the surface thereof substantially in the form of wireiingers. A baffle lll secured to the bottom of the coil 96 causes thehot gases from the heating means to flow over substantially the entiresurface of the coil of the boiler 88 is formed with a manifold lillwhich is adapted to be connected to a heat radi-- ating system.

This form of my :invention operates in a man-- ner very similar to thatalready described iu ccn- .lunction with l of my invention, and isparticularly characterized being able to be readily drained, which issometimes desirable. 'bottorn of the firing chamber 34 may formed with asuitable sweat box H2, as will be understood.

The embodiment of my invention shown in Fig. 3 includes an outer housing52d, an inner housing 22 forming a heating chamber and having heatingmeans i24l positioned at the bottoni thereof. A coil l2@ wrapped tightlyaround the inner housing |22 and connected to a cold Water inlet 128 atits bottoni end extends in suhstantially helical form up between theinner and outer housings and is connected to the top of a helical coillEs positioned at the incide and upper end of the inner housing |22. Thebottoni end of the coil |29 extends through a thermostat lili! to anoutlet conduit it adapted to be connected to a faucet system. A baliie|34 of square or cylindrical shape is positioned inside of the coilwhich coil is usually formed with suitable fins t insure the 1.cest typeof heat transfer. The upper end of the coil l2A is connected by aconduit l 36 with` a heat radiating system, a conduit its adapted to beconnected to the return conduit from the heating system is connected tothe outlet conduit |32 in the manner .illustrated in the drawings.

The operation of this embodiment of niy invention believed to be fullyunderstandable from that already set forth above in conjunction with lof my invention.

In Fig. 4 have illustrated a simple water heater which does not provideWater or other fluid heated to two different temperatures. In this formof my invention the numeral |42 indiouter housing which surrounds inspaced relation an inner housing and heating chamber |44 in the bottomof which is positioned a heat- The top aecasoo ing means |45. A conduitsubstantially in the form of a helical coil |48 and having its lower endconnected to a return pipe |50 extends vertically through the heaterbetween the outer housing |42 and the inner housing |44 and is securedin intimate relation with the inner housing. The upper end of the coilHi8 is connected by a conduit |52 to the upper end of a helically woundcoil |54 which is provided with suitable heat transfer ns |55. Thebottom end of the coil |55 is connected, as at |51, to a storage tankll) which is positioned inside of the coil |54.

A stand pipe |50, extending from the boiler |58, is connected to theinside of a substantially spiral coil |62 formed with suitable heat eX-change ns |64 and having its outer end connected through a thermostat|56 to an outlet conduit I. The thermostat IEB may be positioned in theboiler |58 if desired. A by-pass conduit |l connected to the boiler |58and the outlet conduit Hit insures circulation of water through theboiler when the water in the boiler is being brought up, withoutwithdrawal from the system, to the necessary temperature to operate thethermostat and shut oll the heating means Ulli. Bailies |72, |14 and'iii control the flow of hot gases over the coil |62 and around thebottom of the boiler |58. A helical baille l positioned between theboiler |53 and the inner housing Mil causes a helical flow of hot gasesover the coil |54 and over the outer surface ol the boiler |58.

This particular embodiment of my apparatus is adapted to heat either aradiator or other heat radiating system or it may be used to heat hotWater for a faucet system, in which case the corn duit |58 is merelyconnected to the cold water inlet and the conduit |68 is connected tothe hot water faucet system.

The embodiment of my invention shown in inner housingr |92 ofsubstantially cylindrical or Fig. 5 comprises an outer housing |50 andan slightly conical shape with the inner housing serving as a heatingchamber which has a burner |94 or other heating means positioned at thebottom of the heating chamber. A cap |96 closes the top of the outerhousing |93 and is provided with an aperture ist adapted to be connectedto a chimney or stack. Heat exchange means, usually in the form of acoil 260 of substantially helical shape, is positioned between the outerhousing ISI) and the inner housing |92 in intimate heat transferrelation with the inner housing. The bottom of the coil 20|) isconnected to a cold water inlet conduit 292. The top of the coil 2GB isconnected to heat exchange means positioned in the inside of the innerhousing |92 near the top thereof. Preferably these heat exchange meanstake the form of a helical coil 2li-l provided with suitable fins ZEEwhich facilitate the heat exchange between the water carried by the coiland the hot gases which flow over the coil.

A baille or boiler 288 is positioned centrally of the top of the innercasing 204 so that the hot gases owing up from the heating chamber aredirected to iiow over the convolutions of the coil 20e. I contemplateemploying a wet boiler in this position which may be connected to thecoils in the manner already described in conjunction with the previousembodiments of my invention. However, I have illustrated a dry boilerwhich is not connected into the coils or conduits in any way with theboiler serving merely as a baille. The bottom of the coil 204 isconnected to a thermostat 2l0, which in turn is connected to a conduit2|2 and which is adapted to be connected to the hot Water or faucetsystem in any given installation. Of course, I may employ the heaterillustrated in Fig. 5 as a house heater or a heater for heating waterused in a heat radiating system, and in this case the conduit 2|2 leadsto such a heat radiating system and the conduit 202 is connected to thereturn conduit from the system with any suitable means being used tobleed additional water into the system as infrequently required.

Ihe operation of this embodiment of my invention is quite similar to theoperation of the forms of my invention already described. Sufce it tosay that the heating means |94 are only turned on when the water passingout of the coil 204 over the thermostat 210, and out of the conduitr2l2, falls below the temperature at which the thermostat is set tooperate. When the water becomes hotter than this temperature the heatingmeans is turned off. The outer housing of this form of my invention iskept quite cool in operation and the desired per cent of heat from thegas or other operating means can be absorbed by the heat exchange meansprovided so that fluid, and particularly water, of the desiredtemperature can be obtained. This heater, like substantially all ofthose previously described, may be used as an instantaneous heater toraise water to any temperature desired.

The form of my invention illustrated in Fig. 6

includes a housing 250 having a cap 252 closing the top and formed witha central aperture 254 adapted to be connected to a stack or flue (notshown). A heating means, usually in the form of a gas burner 256, ispositioned centrally of and at the bottom of the housing. Anappropriately finned substantially helical coil 258 closely surroundsthe inside of the casing and is connected at its bottom end to a conduit260 adapted to be connected to a cold water inlet. Appropriate fnning onthe coil 258 preferably takes the formv of a large plurality of integralwire-like lingers cut from the coil conduit and extended radiallythereof. However, other nning means of satisfactory character may beused for fins, as will be obvious.

The top end of the coil 258 is connected to a boiler 262 positionedcentrally of the top of the housing and the boiler has -one or moremanifold connections 264 adaptedto be connected to a heat radiatingsystem. A cylindrical baille plate 266 may be secured to the bottom ofthe boiler to assist in guiding the hot gases from the burner 256 overthe coil 258.

A thermostat 210, adjustable from outside the housing 250, is secured inthe coil. 258 approximately half way up its length and the thermostat,in accordance with known operating characteristics, is adapted to turnthe burner 256 on when the temperature of the water flowing over thethermostat falls below a desired temperature and also acts to shut theburner 256 oir when the temperature of the Water flowing over thethermostat goes above a desired temperature.

The heater comprising this embodiment of my invention is also adapted tosupply hot water to `a faucet system at a temperature below that atwhich it k.supplies the hot water for the heat radiating system. To thisend, a conduit 212 is connected to the coil 258 in the manner andposition illustrated and this conduit is adapted to be connected to afaucet system.

The present form of combination heater differs from that illustrated inFigs. 1, 2 and 3 and above described in that here the return from theheat radiating system instead of being connected to the conduit 212, asmight be done, is connected with or without an injector, and by aconduit 214, to the cold water inletconduit 260.

The operation of this embodiment of my invention is substantially thesame as the operation of the apparatus shown vin Figs. 1, 2 and 3 andwill be readily understood from the description of the operation givenabove.

Of course, it should be understood that the various forms of myinvention are adapted to be easily converted to radiating water heatersalone, faucet Water heaters alone, or combination heaters. However, theembodiment of my invention shown in Fig. 6 is particularly adapted tothese three uses.

From the foregoing it will be recognized that the various objects of myinvention have been achieved by the provision of relatively simple and linexpensive apparatus which is easily installed,

operated and maintained, and which functions over long periods of timesubstantially without attention or repair to provide Water or otherfluid at a desired temperature or temperatures. The size and cost of theheatv exchange means is kept at a minimum and the heat exchange meansare removed from direct contact with the heating means so that'theirlives and heat exchange characteristics are prolonged. Waste heat is'largely eliminated and my improved heaters can be operated ateiiciencies much higher than normally used or expected. I have providedadequate means to prevent sweating and have avoided the usual wastes ofa heater of the instantaneous type. In accordance with my invention thesame heating means, heating chamber, and heat exchange means areemployed to heat both the fluid for water used in a heat radiatingsystem, and the water used in a faucet 'system, thereby noticeablyreducing the cost of such rise of about 60 F. or to meet other standard'requirements of heating or building codes or a'ssociations. to operateupon a smaller quantity of water, and larger units can be constructed toraise a greater number of gallons of water per minute through thedesired temperature rise.

While in accordance with the patent statutes I have particularlyillustrated and described my invention, it will be appreciated that I amnot to be limited thereto or Athereby but that the scope of my inventionis defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A combined faucet water heater and radiating system Water heatercomprising a heating chamber, heating means in the chamber, heatexchange means associated with the heating chamber, a conduit connectedto one portion of the heat exchange means and adapted to extend to afaucet hot water system, a second conduit connected to another portionof the heat exchange means and adapted to extend to a heat radiat ingsystem, a third conduit connected to thefirst conduit by means of aninjector and adapted to Of course, smaller units can be made extend tothe return from a heat radiating system, and a thermostat. associatedwith the heat exchange adjacent the injector for turning on the heatingmeans when the return waterfrom a radiating system is too cold or whenthe outlet water to a faucet system is too cold.

A combined faucet water heater andr radiating system water heatercomprising a heating chamber, heating means in the chamber, heatexchange means associated with the heating chamber, a conduit connectedto the heat exchange means and adapted to extend to a faucet hot watersystem, a second conduit connected to the heat exchange means andadapted to extend to a heat radiating system, a third conduit connectedby means of an injector to the heat exchange means substantiallyadjacent the connection of the first conduit thereto and adapted toextend to the return from a heat radiating system, and means for turningon the heating means when the return water from a radiating system istoo cool or when the outlet water to a faucet system is too cool.

3. A combined faucet water heaterl and radiating system water heatercomprising a heating chamber, gas heating means in the chamber,

eat exchange means associated with both the outside and inside of theheating chamber, a conduit connected to one portion of the heat exchangemeans and adapted to extend to a faucet hot water system, a secondconduit connected to another portion of the heat exchange means andadapted to extend to a heat radiating system, a third conduit connectedto the heat exchange means substantially adjacent the connection of thefirst-named conduit thereto and adapted to extend to the return from aheat radiating system, a thermostat associated with the heat exchangemeans for turning on the heating means when the return water from aradiating system falls below a desired tempera.- turel or when theoutlet water to a, faucet system falls below a desired temperature, theposition of thel thermostat andthe size, location and heat exchangecharacteristics of the heat exchange means being such that the waterssupplied to the faucet and heat radiating systems are at the desiredtemperatures, and means for supplying additional water to the heatexchange means when water is withdrawn by the faucet hot water system.

4. A fluid heater comprising a heating cham ber, heating meansassociated with the heating chamber, a boiler associated with theheating' chamber, a conduit adapted to be connected to the cold fluidsupply and extending substantially in a helical coil around the heatingchamber and connected to the boiler, a heat exchange conduit coilassociated with the heating chamber and connected at one end to theboilerl and adapted to have its other end connected to a faucet hotwater system, conduits connected to the boiler and adapted to extend toa heat radiating system, a conduit adapted to be connected to thereturnV from a heat radiating system and connected to the heat exchangeconduit coil adjacent the outlet adapted to extend toa faucet hot watersystem, and a thermostat in the heat exchange conduit coil adjacent theradiating system return conduit and the outlet to the faucet hot. watersystem so that the heating means are turned on Whenever the fluidflowing to the faucet hot water system or returning from the heatradiating system dro'psbelow a certain temperature.

acca-,50o

5. A fluid heater comprising a thin-walled heating chamber, gas heatingmeans associated with the heating chamber, a boiler associated with` theheating chamber, a conduit adapted to be connected to the cold fluidsupply and extend.- ing substantially in a helical coil around theoutside of the heating chamber in intimate heattransferring relationtherewith and connected to the boiler, a finned heat exchange conduitcoil in the heating chamber and connected at one end to the boiler andadapted to have its other end connected to a faucet hot water system,conduits connected to the boiler and adapted to extend to a heatrradiating system, and a conduit adapted to be connected to the returnfrom a heat radiating system and connected to the heat exchange conduitcoil adjacent the outlet adapted to extend to a faucet hot water system.

6. A fluid heater comprising a heating chamber, heating means associatedwith the heating chamber, a boiler associated with the heating chamber,a conduit adapted to be connected to the cold fluid supply and extendingsubstantially in a helical coil around the heating chamber and connectedto the boiler, a finned heat exchange conduit co-il associated with theheating chamber and connected at one end to the boiler and adaptedtohave its other end connected to a faucet hot water system, conduitsconnected to the boiler and adapted to extend to a heat radiatingsystem, and. a conduit adapted to be connected to the return from a heatradiating system and connected to the heat exchange conduit coiladjacent the outlet adapted to extend to a faucet hot water system.

7. A fluid heater comprising a thin-walled heating chamber, heatingmeans associated with the heating chamber, a boiler` associated with theheating chamber, a conduit adapted to be connected to the cold fiuidsupply and extending substantially in a helical coil around the outsideof the heating chamber' in intimate heat transferring relation therewithand connected to the boiler, a heat exchange conduit coil in the insideof the heating chamber and connected at one end to the boiler andadapted to have its other end connected to a faucet hot water system,conduits connected to the boiler and adapted to extend to a heatradiating system, a conduit adapted to be connected to the return from aheat radiating system and connected` to the heat exchange conduit coiladjacent the outlet adapted to extend to a faucet hot water system, anda thermostat in the heat exchange conduit coil adjacent the radiatingsystem return conduit and the outlet to the faucet hot water system sothat the heating means are turned on whenever the fluid owing to thefaucet hot water system or returning from the heat radiating systemdrops below a certain temperature.

8'. A iiuid heater comprising a thin-walled heating chamber, heatingmeans associated with the heating chamber, a boiler associated with theheating chamber, a conduit adapted to be conf nected tothe cold iiuidsupply and extending substantially in a helical coil around the outsideof' the heating chamber in intimate heat transferring relation therewithand connected to the boiler, a heat exchange conduit coil in the insideofthe heating chamber and connected at one end to the boiler and adaptedto have its other end connected to a faucet hot water system, conduitsconnected to the boiler and adapted to extend to a heat radiatingsystem, a conduit adapted to be connected to the return from a heatradiattom of the heating chamber, a conduit of subing system andconnected to the heat exchange conduit coil adjacent the outlet adaptedto extend to a faucet hot water system, a thermostat in the heatexchange conduit coil adjacent the radiating system return conduit andthe outlet to the faucet hot Water system so that the heating means areturned on whenever the uid owing to the faucet hot water system orreturning from the heat radiating system drops below a ce1'- taintemperature, and means for positively circulating Water through theconduit adapted to be connected to the return from a heat radiatingsystem.

9. A fluid heater comprising a heating chamber, heating means associatedwith the heating chamber, a boiler associated with the heating chamber,a conduit adapted to be connected to the cold iiuid supply and extendingsubstantially in a. helical coil around the heating chamber andconnected to the boiler, a heat exchange conduit.

coil associated with the heating chamber and connected at one endv tothe boiler, a connection from the boiler adapted to extend to a heatradiating system, a conduit adapted to be connected to the return from aheat radiating systemand connected to the heat exchange conduitcoiladjacent its end remote from the boiler, and a thermostat in theheat exchange conduit coil adjacent the radiating system return conduit`so that the heating means are turned on whenever the uid returning fromthe heat radiating system drops below a certain temperature.

10. A uid heater comprising a heating chamber, heating means positionedadjacent the botstantially helical shape surrounding the heating chamberand adapted to be connected at its bottom end to a cold fluid supply, ahousing around the helical conduit and together with the heating chamberproviding a back air vent, heat exchange means inside the heatingchamber, a connection between the heat exchange means and the upper endof the conduit, an outlet conduit connected to the heat exchange meansand adapted to be connected to a piping system, and a thermostatassociated with the outlet conduit and adapted to turn on the heatingmeans when the uid passing out the outlet conduit falls beloW a desiredtemperature.

11. A uid heater comprising a heating chamber, heating means positionedadjacent the bottom of the heating chamber, a conduit of substantiallyhelical shape surrounding the heating chamber and adapted to beconnected at its bottom end to a fluid supply, a :finned helicallycoiledheat exchange means inside the heating chamber, a dry baffle-boilerinside of the heat exchange means and serving to direct the ow of heatover the heat exchange means, a connection between the heat exchangemeans and the upper end of the conduit, an outlet conduit connected tothe heat exchange means and adapted to be connected to a piping system,and a thermostat associated with the outlet conduit and adapted to turnon the heating means when the huid passing out the outlet conduit fallsbelow a desired temperature.

HARRISON D. STERICK.

